Reviews
Chris Murphy Album: Live In England
Label: Teahouse
Tracks: 12
Website: https://chrismurphymusic.com/
New York violinist and singer Chris Murphy came, not quite halfway, but far enough to play the Now sadly closed Dorothy Pax in Sheffield to record this album. Halfway Around The World opens the album, and it takes a while to get your head round the fact that there are just a violin and voice going on. Watch some of his videos, they are extraordinary. With a little support from looped and programmed drums and bass this is a remarkable one-man show.
Second tune Early Grave is superbly danceable tune, as are several other songs on the album. This rocks harder than many full bands could manage. Caves of Killala is s story of gun smuggling in County Mayo at the site of the 1798 French invasion of Ireland, although the mention of Springfield rifles leftover from the Boer War places this at a different rebellion. The sort of subject matter plenty of heavy rock bands would write about, but they couldn't hope to give it the passion and power Murphy brings to his tune.
Never Learned to Drive is a witty blues about having to take the bus, with plenty of audience participation. Into The Past is the best showcase for his considerable violin skills and is a change in pace as well. An album with such a limited sonic palette could easily become a bit one dimensional, but not here. Each song is a world of its own, and while a couple stretch out a bit far heard after the fact, on the night they were probably just right. This is after all a record of a live performance not an album created for a static audience. As he says: "Each performance is a moment, a reflection of the room, the people, the city, my state of mind, and how these pieces of music choose to show up at that particular time."
The Red Road is an almost pop song which again takes a wry look at romantic encounters. Edgar Allen Poe compares the writer's work to another less than satisfying relationship. Connemara Ponies is the best song on the album with a Celtic swing which according to his videos has the audience reeling around the room. The album closes with A Prayer For Martin Bedford, a legendary Sheffield musician, poster and graphic artist who passed away in 2023. Ending with 2 instrumentals when his lyrics are such an intrinsic part of his appeal just highlights the unique and entrancing music Chris Murphu plays.
Murphy says, "playing my songs live, in front of an audience, alone with nothing more than a violin, a few guitar pedals, and a vocal mic is what I live for." I think it's safe to say that the audience at the Dorothy Pax felt the same. A live album which crackles with energy. He tours the UK regularly and will be on the list to see next time without a doubt.
Tim Martin
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